10 Most Famous Movie Quote

By no means an easy list to compile, the 10 most famous movie quotes of all time are memorable lines that have stood the test of time and have come to be household favorites. Known to all and parodied by thousands, some have defined the careers of actors like James Dean and Arnold Schwarzenegger and have been acknowledged be the American Film Institute as historically and culturally significant.

“Wait a minute, wait a minute, you ain’t heard nothin’ yet!” – “The Jazz Singer” (1927) The first film to feature synchronized dialogue sequences, “The Jazz Singer” was a motion picture milestone. Jack Robin’s first spoken words make for one of the most famous movie quotes of all time and were completely ad-libbed by actor Al Jolson.

“I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is wha I am.” – “On the Waterfront” (1954) Filmed in and around the docks of Hoboken, New Jersey, Elia Kazan’s story of mob informers won eight Academy Awards, including a Best Actor win for Marlon Brando whose character, Terry Malloy delivered this career-defining line– undoubtedly one of the most famous movie quotes in cinematic history.

“You’re tearing me apart!” – “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955) The classic story of troubled, middle-class teenagers launched James Dean’s brief, impressive career and was released after Dean’s untimely death in 1955 at the age on 24. Jim Stark’s signature quote is one of the most famous movie quotes ever uttered on film and has since made James Dean a cultural icon.

“Stella! He Stella!” – “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951) The character of Stanley Kowalski was famously portrayed by legendary actor Marlon Brando for the 1948 Broadway production of the Tennessee Williams play, and was a role he reprised for Elia Kazan’s 1951 film. Brando’s impassioned quote is definitely one of the most famous movie quotes of all time and has been parodied by everyone from “The Simpsons” to “Family Guy.”

“You talkin’ to me?” – “Taxi Driver” (1976) Martin Scorsese’s gritty masterpiece established both Robert De Niro and Scorsese himself as cinematic icons. The film inspired John Hinckley, Jr.’s attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan in 1981 and produced one of the most famous movie quotes of all time, delivered by De Niro’s disturbed and lonely cab driver character, Travis Bickle, to his own reflection.

“The name’s Bond. James Bond.” – “Dr. No” (1962) The first in a long line of films featuring charismatic British spy, James Bond, “Dr. No” defined the spy genre and made Sean Connery an international superstar. Connery’s line of introduction became a instant catch phrase and has become the epitome of sophisticated manliness.

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine." – “Casablanca” (1942) One of the greatest noir films ever made, “Casablanca” established Humphrey Bogart as a romantic leading man, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in 1944.

“I’ll be back.” – “The Terminator” (1984) Undeniably one of the most famous movie quotes ever delivered, Arnold Schwarzenegger became a sensation after coolly muttering this short line in James Cameron’s sci-fi classic about an android sent back in time to kill the future savior of mankind.

“Mama always said ‘Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.’” – “Forrest Gump” (1994) Robert Zemeckis’ sentimental classic about a simple Alabama man and his travels earned a number of Academy Awards including a Best Actor win for Tom Hanks, whose delightfully charming Forrest Gump delivered a number of character defining quotes imbued with Mama’s folksy wisdom.

“Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” – “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) Featuring amazing Technicolor sequences and stirring musical numbers, “The Wizard of Oz” was only a modest success when it premiered in 1939. Judy Garland’s immortal quote upon entering the magical land of Oz is one of the most famous quotes in cinema.